Curtain-stretcher



(No Model.)

IVLR. LARE & J. S. YOUNG.

CURTAIN STRETGHER.

No. 602,459. Patented Apr. 19,1898.

ilnrrnn STATES PATENT rricn.

MAROELLUS R. LARE AND JOSEPH S. YOUNG, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYL- VANIA; SAID YOUNG ASSIGNOR OF HIS RIGHT TO ANTON LUTZ, OF

ALLEGHENY, PENNSYLVANIA.

CURTAlN-STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 602,459, dated April 19, 1898.

Application filed March 24, 1896. Serial No. 584,625. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, MARoELLUs R. LARE and JOSEPH S. YOUNG, citizens of the United States, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ourtain-Stretchers; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, in which Figure 1 indicates a plan view of our improved curtain-stretcher. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the side provided with the rollers. Fig. 3 is a detail of one of the ratchet-wheels and pawls, also side elevation of one of the clasps. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the end of the rollers having ratchet and pawl.

Our invention relates to frames whereon to stretch window-curtains, our object being to produce a stretcher capable of being reduced in length when not in use, and thus rendered more portable, and at the same time simplify the construction and increase the efficiency of the same 5 and to this purpose it consists of the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter specifically described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part thereof.

Referring to said drawings, A is a frame formed of two sections 1 and 2, respectively hinged at a: a: to enable the frame when not in use to be reduced in length by folding one section against the other. One of said sections is provided with hooks 3 3 to engage pins 4 4 on the other section to enable said section to be locked fast when extended for use, as shown in Fig. 1. One of the sides and one of the ends are provided with a number of staples 5 5, to which the looped ends of cords 6 6 are fastened to prevent immediate strain on the curtain, the opposite ends of said cords being fastened to the clasps or spring-holders 7 7 which are adapted to grip 'not in use.

or seize the edges of the curtain. The side and end of said frame opposite the side and end, respectively, in which said staples are secured are provided with rollers 8 8, mounted, respectively, in bearings 9 9, which are suitably secured upon the top of said side and end, respectively. One of the ends of each of the rollers is provided with ratchetwheels 10 10, adapted to engage pawls 11 11, respectively, which are respectively mounted on short shafts 12 12 in the side of said bearings 9 9, the upper end of said pawls being respectively attached to the spiral springs 13 13, the opposite ends of which are respectively secured to the bearings 9 9, whereby said pawls are kept in constant engagement with said ratchet-wheels 1O 10, and the rollers are held fast and kept from turning for the purpose hereinafter specified. At intervals along said rollers a series of staples similar to those in the side of the frame are driven, to which the ends of the cords 14 14, looped, preferably, as shown in Fig. 1, are attached. Said cords are also of considerable length and adapted to be wound and unwound around said rollers, whereby the same may be lengthened and shortened, accordingly as the curtains are large or small, the ratchet-Wheels on the rollers, by means of engagement with the pawls, serving to lock said rollers at any position of adjustment.

It will be observed that the roller 8, mounted on the side of the frame, is divided intermediate its length and is provided with a slidable collar 15, adapted to connect the divided ends of the same, whereby, as heretofore stated, the frame may be folded up when Said roller may, if desirable, be supported by the staples 16 16.

The operation of our device is obvious.

Having described our invention, what we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

As a new article of manufacture, a curt-ainstretcher comprising a frame formed in two sections, hinged together, one end and one side of said frame having a series of clasps flexibly fastened thereto; rollers mounted respectively on the opposite end and side, the roller on the side being divided intermediate its length, and adapted to be connected at such point by a slidable collar; said rollers respectively having at one end a ratchet- Wheel adapt-ed to engage a spring-pressed pawl and having a series of cords the free ends of each of which are secured to a num- IO ber of clasps, whereby said cords may be lengthened and shortened by the movement of said rollers, substantially as described.

In testimony that We claim the foregoing We hereunto affix our signatures this 21st day of March, A. D. 1896.

MAROELLUS R. LARE. [L. 3.] JOSEPH S. YOUNG. [L. s] In presence of- Ms. J. MOAFE O. A. WILLIAMS. 

